Rio Grande, New Mexico, US

6. Taos Junction Bridge to Embudo Station Restaurant (Pilar)

Gauge Information

River Description

A fun run with some good play at just about any level...above 2000 cfs is a solid level...above 3000 Alberts is a mandatory scout due to a large river-wide hole. At high water, everything is pretty continuous with big random holes and waves, except for Big Rocks, which washes out on the right channel. Souse can be easily avoided at any level as long as you hug the left bank. The most popular playspot is between Big Rocks and Souse, called Sleeping Beauty. It plays better river right of the stack.

Excellent description of this run at SouthwestPaddler.com and at New Mexico Bureau of Land Management Rivers Page.

The reaches of the Taos Box area are...
Ute Mountain (Class II),
Razors (Class III/IV),
Upper Box (Class V/V+),
Lower Box (Class III/IV),
Pilar (Class III/IV),
Otowi Bridge (Class III),
Red River (Class IV),
Rio Pueblo (Class V+), and
Rio Embudo (Class V+).